







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Do you like red or white onions? | |
| Hang on, I remember you telling me you never kill animals! | |
| Yeah, I like having lasagne the day after it's cooked, it tastes better. | |
| I have one sister and she is nineteen. | |
| Are you the only smoker in the house? | |
| That's fine, I'm almost ready. | |
| Yes sir, you can have a seat at this table. | |
| But Bear has got hip dysplasia. | |
| Do you want me to get you a glass of wine? | |
| Because I'm sure they don't serve bugs in London! | |
| Do we have a mortar and pestle? | |
| And on the ground floor we have easy access to the garden. | |
| Oh, come on dear, I was just joking, you know that... | |
| Mike! You can't use people's stuff without asking! | |
| How long does the flight usually take? | |
| There is nothing much left to do, there are only bits and pieces. | |
| I live just opposite the pub. | |
| Nope, as I said before, they live in Australia. | |
| What's your favourite movie? | |
| What's the time, are we early? | |